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Nitrogen Fertilization Impacts on Soil Organic Carbon and Structural Properties under Switchgrass

Jung, Ji Young
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1284983372

Abstract Details

2010, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Environment and Natural Resources.
A paradigm shift from maximum to sustainable agricultural production also applies to cultivation of bioenergy crops. Nitrogen (N) fertilization is needed to sustain the biomass yield of switchgrass as a biofuel feedstock and, consequently, may influence the potential for soil quality improvement through soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. Because changes in soil quality can feed back to affect the sustainability of biomass production, the impacts of N application on switchgrass biomass production and soil quality need to be evaluated together. Therefore, the overall objective of this study was to assess the effects of N fertilization on switchgrass biomass, changes in SOC concentration and pool, and soil structural properties. This objective was realized by conducting field experiments in Ohio and Tenessee, and a laboratory incubation study in Ohio. The aboveground biomass of switchgrass was more strongly influenced by N fertilization than the belowground biomass. Even when the aboveground biomass was harvested and removed, N fertilization led to an increase in SOC, both in Ohio and Tennessee. The data from laboratory incubation study showed that N additions could retard the decomposition of organic matter, which may contribute towards higher SOC pools in N fertilized plots. The results from the Tennessee experiments indicated the important role of roots in stabilizing soil structure. Despite higher SOC concentrations in plots receiving a high rate of N fertilization, higher soil structural stability was associated with greater root biomass and longer root length in plots receiving none or a low rate of N fertilizer. These data indicated that root growth is a crucial driver of surface soil structure.
Rattan Lal, PhD (Advisor)
Peter Curtis, PhD (Committee Member)
David Barker, PhD (Committee Member)
Julie Jastrow, PhD (Committee Member)
236 p.
Soil Sciences
switchgrass; soil organic carbon (SOC); nitrogen fertilization; biomass production; soil structure; organic matter decomposition; root

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Jung, J. Y. (2010). Nitrogen Fertilization Impacts on Soil Organic Carbon and Structural Properties under Switchgrass [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1284983372

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Jung, Ji Young. Nitrogen Fertilization Impacts on Soil Organic Carbon and Structural Properties under Switchgrass. 2010. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1284983372.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Jung, Ji Young. "Nitrogen Fertilization Impacts on Soil Organic Carbon and Structural Properties under Switchgrass." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1284983372

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1284983372
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.